When fans re-watch “The Office” finale titled ‘Goodbye Michael’, eagle-eyed ones will notice a slight incongruity – Pam’s tear streaked face as she says farewell, clutching her copy of The King’s Speech. But this isn’t your typical book choice for a wistfully nostalgic farewell. Many theorize this seemingly random selection wasn’t pure continuity blunder; instead, it hints at subliminal messaging about Pam Beesly’s hidden aspirations. The plot points within ‘The Ring’ – its exploration of a menacing curse on a recording and the ensuing chase to break the destructive tape – are strikingly in sync with themes already present throughout Pam and her journey, as seen at this crucial narrative precipice.
Pam, often marginalized and lacking clear career goals for much of the show, might identify with the protagonists trapped by external forces – much like Bethany loses control to Samara’s influence on screen . At work for Dunder Mifflin Paper Company for years felt strangely oppressive. Her “dreamlife” as an artistic free spirit was often overshadowed by monotony and perceived limitations. Is Pam unconsciously reflecting upon her past choices, haunted by anxieties over missing out on artistic expression as she bids farewell to Michael?
Consider The King’s Speech’s celebratory undertones – it’s about overcoming obstacles to achieve public speech fluency. Yet , ‘The Ring’ throws in a stark counterpoint – grappling with darkness within audio-visual media itself. Perhaps Pam’s embrace of both offers insight into how she navigates this farewell. She celebrates Michael’s freedom alongside an awareness that life can harbor unseen terrors and require facing those fears head-on, particularly those holding back her own creative voice. Perhaps this choice hints at greater emotional complexity beneath the surface, subtly indicating that Pam’s journey might be taking a decidedly darker turn as she embarks on a “new chapter beyond Dunder Mifflin.”
It would be easy to dismiss the book choice as inconsequenting; but when viewing ‘The Office’ through its subtle narratives, everything starts painting a clearer picture beyond obvious surface level interactions. Pam might not say outright what she is grappling with – just like characters in horror flicks often don’t reveal what scares them most overtly- but ‘The Ring’, seen alongside ‘Goodbye Michael’, suggests an entirely richer understanding about what lies at the heart of a truly complex female character within the beloved show’s universe — Pam Beesly moving forward, ready to wrestle with unseen horrors AND triumphs to come.